Bonsai Encyclopedia
Encyclopedia of popular bonsai species with care guides, traits, and styling tips.
Featured Bonsai
Showing 34 of 77 species(25–34)
© Sanchezn / CC BY-SA 3.0Liquidambar
Liquidambar formosana
Also called sweetgum. Star-shaped leaves with spectacular autumn color. Deep corky bark ridges are also attractive. Relatively fast-growing and beginner-friendly.
© Jean-Pol GRANDMONT / CC BY 3.0Mulberry
Deciduous tree known for silkworm farming. In bonsai, exposed roots and hollow trunks are highlights. Sweet berries are a bonus. Hardy and tolerant of pruning.
© KENPEI / CC BY-SA 3.0Nandina
Nandina domestica
Auspicious plant whose name suggests turning misfortune away. Beautiful red berries and winter color. Used in New Year decorations. Hardy and beginner-friendly.
Olive Bonsai
Olea europaea
Mediterranean evergreen. Silver-gray leaves and twisted trunks create unique atmosphere. Rapidly gaining popularity as Western-style bonsai. Drought-tolerant with low watering risk.
© Augustus Binu : flickr / CC BY-SA 3.0Pomegranate
Punica granatum
Flowering and fruiting bonsai with vermillion flowers and fruits. Twisted trunks and aged appearance are appealing. Split fruits are charming. Drought-tolerant and sun-loving.
© Tiffany825 / CC BY 3.0Rose of Sharon
Hibiscus syriacus
Deciduous shrub blooming continuously from summer to autumn. Known as Korea's national flower. Individual flowers last one day but bloom in succession. Hardy and fast-growing.
© KENPEI / CC BY-SA 3.0Satsuki Azalea
Satsuki azalea
The iconic flowering bonsai of Japanese culture. Blooms in May-June with thousands of cultivars. Huge variety in flower color and form. Star of exhibitions.
Schefflera
Heptapleurum arboricola
Tropical evergreen with distinctive palmate leaves radiating outward. Extremely hardy and grows indoors, perfect for bonsai beginners. Develops aerial roots for banyan-style forms.
© Hurricanefan24 / CC BY-SA 3.0Trident Maple
Acer buergerianum
Popular deciduous bonsai with distinctive three-lobed leaves. Appealing root spread, bark texture, and autumn color. Often styled as root-over-rock. Fast growth suits beginners.
© Jean-Jacques MILAN / CC BY-SA 3.0Winter Jasmine
Jasminum nudiflorum
Flowering bonsai covered in yellow blooms in early spring. Weeping habit suits cascade style. Bright yellow heralds spring when few flowers bloom. Hardy and easy.
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Bonsai FAQ
- How much do bonsai cost?
- Mini bonsai cost 1,000-5,000 yen, medium bonsai 5,000-50,000 yen, and masterpiece-class large bonsai hundreds of thousands to millions of yen depending on age, size, and form.
- Can beginners start bonsai?
- Starting with small Japanese maple, Shimpaku juniper, or Japanese white pine is recommended. With basic watering and 1-2 annual prunings, beginners can fully enjoy bonsai.
- How long do bonsai live?
- With proper care, bonsai can live for hundreds of years. Japan has many bonsai several centuries old, valued as art pieces passed down across generations.
- What should I check when buying bonsai?
- Look at root spread, trunk movement, and branch balance. Beginners may enjoy starting with affordable raw material trees and shaping them, rather than finished specimens.
- What's most important for bonsai care?
- Daily watering is the most important task. Water thoroughly when the soil surface dries, twice daily in summer (morning and evening). Keep outdoors in a spot with good airflow and sunlight.